Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol carried in your blood, including LDL ('bad'), HDL ('good') and VLDL. Your body needs some cholesterol to build cells and hormones, but too much builds up in artery walls.
- Normal range (adults)
- Below 200 mg/dL (below 5.2 mmol/L)
- Sample
- Blood
- Fasting
- Usually not required; some labs ask for a 9–12 hour fast.
- Also called
- Total Cholesterol, Serum Cholesterol, Serum cholesterol level, Cholesterol, CHOL, TC, Serum Total Cholesterol, Blood Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol normal range
| Group | mg/dLConventional units: US, South Asia | mmol/LSI units: UK, Europe, Australia, international |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | Below 200 | Below 5.2 |
200–239 mg/dL is borderline high; 240 mg/dL or above is high.
Your report may use either unit system; labs in the Gulf often print both. Ranges also vary slightly between laboratories, so the range printed on your own report is the one to go by.
Why is the Total Cholesterol test done?
It is part of the lipid profile, used to estimate your risk of heart attack and stroke. Adults are usually checked every few years, and more often if they have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease.
What does a high Total Cholesterol level mean?
High total cholesterol increases the build-up of fatty plaque in arteries (atherosclerosis), which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke over time. It causes no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know.
Common causes
- Diet high in saturated and trans fats (ghee, butter, fatty meat, fried and baked snacks)
- Overweight and lack of exercise
- Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
- Underactive thyroid
- Diabetes, kidney or liver disease
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
Diet and lifestyle tips
- Swap ghee, butter and palm oil for olive, canola or sunflower oil in small amounts
- Eat more soluble fibre: oats, barley, lentils, beans, apples, psyllium (isabgol)
- Eat oily fish twice a week and a handful of unsalted nuts daily
- Cut fried foods, bakery items, processed meats and full-fat cream
- Exercise at least 150 minutes a week and lose excess weight
- Stop smoking
What does a low Total Cholesterol level mean?
Low cholesterol is uncommon and usually not a problem, but very low values can be a sign of another illness.
Common causes
- Overactive thyroid
- Malnutrition or malabsorption
- Liver disease
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines
Diet and lifestyle tips
- Eat a balanced diet with enough calories and healthy fats
- Ask your doctor to look for an underlying cause if levels are very low
When should you see a doctor?
Talk to your doctor about your overall heart risk, which depends on your age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history, not cholesterol alone. Very high levels (above 300 mg/dL, 7.8 mmol/L) or high levels at a young age suggest an inherited cause.
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This page is for general education and is not a diagnosis. Normal ranges differ between laboratories, so always compare your result with the reference range printed on your own report, and discuss abnormal results with your doctor.